The Lagos State Government has swiftly repaired a dangerous open manhole along the Ikeja axis leading to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, following public outcry triggered by a viral video.

Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, who inspected the site on Sunday, confirmed that state agencies were mobilised overnight to eliminate the hazard.

“We commend the citizen who raised the alarm. Once it got to our attention, the Public Works Corporation, drainage team, and General Manager all came here last night. As you can see, the work is ongoing,” Daramola said.

 

He was joined by Tokunbo Ajanaku, General Manager of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, and Mahmood Adegbite, Director of Drainage. Daramola, however, cautioned against road vandalism, stressing that misuse of public infrastructure was a crime.

“Just recently, manholes were vandalised at Ogudu Bridge and Ogudu Link Bridge. While government will always respond swiftly, citizens also have a duty to ‘see something, say something,’” he added.

The intervention came after broadcast journalist Deji Badmus drew attention to the hazard by placing a warning billboard inside the open manhole on Saturday. In his viral video, Badmus described it as a “death trap,” recalling how he narrowly avoided an accident.

“That manhole has been open for about three months. Cars have crashed into it already, and just days ago, there was another serious accident. It’s shocking that such a danger was ignored on a road linking both the international and local airports,” he said.

By Sunday afternoon, Badmus posted an update showing the repairs, commending the authorities for their quick response while urging similar urgency in fixing other open manholes across Lagos.